More questions about the DfT FAQ's on airport security scanners

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Transport,

(1)The 2010 FAQ's state:
'A final code of practice will be published later this year'
Which year are we talking about? "2020 perhaps?

(2)Q5 'Can passengers choose to be screened by an alternative method?
No. The Government believes that this measure is NECESSARY in order to maintain security levels'.
If security scanners are so necessary, and by implication so effective, and NO other method of security check is as necessary or as effective, then why have body scanners NOT been introduced to all UK airports by now? Is this not a security loophole? Is it therefore true that for the last 15 months only those airports that have been using compulsory body scanners (Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick)have been the only ones that have been secure?

(3)Q20 'Passengers can ask for same gender screening if they wish, and the airport is required to provide this'.
Manchester airport state that a passenger can request same sex viewing, Heathrow and Gatwick do not mention this on their security scanner information pages.
If passengers modesty and privacy is protected, as the DfT state it is, then why do you offer same sex viewing?
Can airports pick and choose on whether they offer same sex viewing? Can airports choose not to mention that this option is available upon passenger request?
How do passengers know that their request for same sex viewing has been honoured?
Do UK airports have to have a 24 hour operational complement (male and female) of security scanner viewers to meet passenger requests?

Yours faithfully,

M Boyce

Mike Alcock, Department for Transport

1 Attachment

Dear M Boyce,

Please find attached a response to your FOI request.

Mike Alcock

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